Lesson 8 – At the Restaurant

Initial Conversation and Training

Listen to the following conversation Bob and Anne Turner have with their waiter.

Weyter: Anong gusto ninyong pagkain?
Anne Turner: Bigyan mo kami ng adobong manok, pansit gisado, kanin, at ensaladang pipino.
Bob Turner: Meron bang sabaw?
Weyter: Opo, me sinigang.
Bob Turner: Ano ba ang sinigang?
Weyter: Sabaw na may hipon at isda, sitaw, kangkong, kamatis, sili, sibuyas, at sampalok ang sinigang.
Masarap!
Bob Turner: O sige, dalhan mo kami ng sinigang.

Later:
Weyter: Kumusta po ang pagkain?
Anne Turner: Masarap ang lahat!
Weyter: Anong gusto ninyong himagas?
Anne Turner: Para sa akin, letse plan at sorbetes na makapuno.
Bob Turner: Ayoko ng himagas. Bigyan mo na lang ako ng isang tasang kape at pakidala mo rin ang tsit.

Now, let’s practice speaking. In this conversation the waiter asks Bob and Anne what food they would like.

Anong gusto mong pagkain?

“Pagkain” is “food”.

REPEAT

Pagkain
Pagkain

“Ninyong” is “ninyo“, you, with the linker.

REPEAT

Ninyong
Ninyong

Ninyong pagkain
Ninyong pagkain

Anong gusto ninyong pagkain?
Anong gusto ninyong pagkain?

In the Philippines, women often order the food. So Anne orders for both and says to the waiter, “bigyan mo akong adobong manok, pansit gisado, kanin at ensalado pipino.”

“Adobo” is a Filipino national dish.

“Adobong” is “Adobo” with the linker.

REPEAT

Adobong
Adobong

“Manok” is “chicken” or “hen”.

REPEAT

manok
manok

adobong manok
adobong manok

“pansit gisado” is sauteed noodles with shrimp, pork, and bits of vegetables.

REPEAT

pansit gisado
pansit gisado

“kanin” is steamed, white rice

REPEAT

kanin
kanin

“pipino” is cucumber

REPEAT

ensaladong pipino

kanin at ensaladong pipino
kanin at ensaladong pipino

adobong manok, pansit gisado
adobong manok, pansit gisado

Repeat the whole line:
Bigyan mo akong adobong manok, pansit gisado, kanin at ensalado pipino.

Bob asks the waiter if there’s any soup. He says:

Meron bang sabaw?

“sabaw” is soup or broth.

REPEAT

sabaw
sabaw

Meron bang sabaw?
Meron bang sabaw?

The waiter tells Bob there is sinigang.

Opo, me sinigang.

REPEAT
Opo, me sinigang.
Opo, me sinigang.

Bob doesn’t know exactly what sinigang is, so he asks:
Ano ba ang sinigang?

REPEAT
Ano ba ang sinigang?
Ano ba ang sinigang?

The waiter says “sinigang is a soup with shrimp, fish, string beans, water cress, tomatoes, pepper, onions and tamarind.

LISTEN
Sabaw na may hipon at isda, sitaw, kangkong, kamatis, sili, sibuyas, at sampalok ang sinigang.

Green sampalok, “tamarind,” is tart and used for flavoring fish or meat soup with vegetables.

REPEAT
sampalok
sampalok

“sibuyas” are onions

REPEAT
sibuyas
sibuyas

“sili” here is the green, elongated, hot pepper.

REPEAT
sili
sili

“kamati” are tomatoes

REPEAT
kamatis
kamatis

“Kangkong” is a leafy vegetable used for flavoring soups.

REPEAT
kangkong
kangkong

“Sitaw” are slender green string beans.

REPEAT
sitaw
sitaw

Sitaw, kangkong, kamatis, sili, sibuyas at simpalok
Sitaw, kangkong, kamatis, sili, sibuyas at simpalok

“Isda” is fish.

REPEAT
isda
isda

“Hipon” is shrimp.

REPEAT
hipon
hipon

“na may hipon at isda” literally means “which has shrimp and fish”

REPEAT
na may hipon at isda
na may hipon at isda

REPEAT
sabaw
sabaw

sabaw na may hipon at isda
sabaw na may hipon at isda

Now the whole line:
Sabaw na may hipon at isda, sitaw ,kangkong, kamatis, sili, sibuyas, at simpalok ang sinigang.

The waiter adds that it’s delicious.
Masarap!

REPEAT
masarap
masarap

Bob orders sinigang for both and he says:

O Sige, dalhan mo kami ng sinigang (bring us sinigang)

After awhile, the waiter comes back to ask how the food is.

Kumusta po ang pagkain?

REPEAT
Kumusta po ang pagkain?
Kumusta po ang pagkain?

To which Anne Turner says:
Masarap ang lahat. (Everything is delicious.)

“Lahat” is “all”

REPEAT
lahat
lahat

Masarap ang lahat
Masarap ang lahat

Later on when they are about to finish the main course the waiter asks:
Anong gusto ninyong himagas? (What would you like for desert?)

“Himagas” is “dessert”, either fruit or sweets, or both.

REPEAT
himagas
himagas

Anong gusto ninyong himagas?
Anong gusto ninyong himagas?

Anne says:
Para sa akin, letse plan at sorbete na makapuno.
(For me, lemon egg custard and coconut ice cream.)

“na makapuno” is “that is coconut.

REPEAT
na makapuno
na makapuno

“Sorbetes” is “ice cream”

REPEAT
sorbetes na makapuno
sorbetes na makapuno

“letse plan” is a lemon egg custard

REPEAT
letse plan
letse plan

letse plan at sorbetes na makapuno
letse plan at sorbetes na makapuno

Para sa akin, letse plan at sorbetes na makapuno.
Para sa akin, letse plan at sorbetes na makapuno.

Bob doesn’t want any dessert and tells the waiter:
Ayoko ng himagas.

REPEAT
Ayoko ng himagas
Ayoko ng himagas.

He only wants a cup of coffee and the bill, so he tells the waiter:
Bigyan mo na lang ako ng isang tasang kape at pakidala mo rin ang tsit.

(Just give me a cup of coffee, and also please bring the check.)

“Isang tasang kape” is “a cup of coffee”

REPEAT
Isang tasang kape
Isang tasang kape

Bigyan mo na lang ako ng isang tasang kape.

“Tsit” is the check or bill

REPEAT
tsit
tsit

“Pakidala” is “please bring”

REPEAT
at pakidala mo rin ang tsit
at pakidala mo rin ang tsit

Bigyan mo na lang ako ng isang tasang kape at pakidala mo rin ang tsit.
Bigyan mo na lang ako ng isang tasang kape at pakidala mo rin ang tsit.

REPEAT ALL

Ayoko ng himagas. Bigyan mo na lang ako ng isang tasang kape at pakidala mo rin ang tsit.

Now, listen to the conversation again. Repeat each line during the pause.

Anong gusto ninyong pagkain?

Bigyan mo kami ng adobong manok, pansit gisado, kanin, at ensaladang pipino.

Meron bang sabaw?

Opo, me sinigang.

Ano ba ang sinigang?

Sabaw na may hipon at isda, sitaw, kangkong,

kamatis, sili, sibuyas, at sampalok ang sinigang.

Masarap!

o sige, dalhan mo kami ng sinigang.

Kumusta po ang pagkain?

Masarap ang lahat!

Anong gusto ninyong himagas?

Para sa akin, letse plan at sorbetes na makapuno.

Ayoko ng himagas. Bigyan mo na lang ako ng isang tasang kape at pakidala mo rin ang tsit.

Now, let’s practice and expand on the conversation.

When the waiter comes to take the order for the main course he asks Bob and Anne:
Anong gusto ninyong pagkain? (What food would you like?)

He could also ask, “What would you like to eat?”
Anong gusto ninyong kanin?

“Kanin” means “to eat”

REPEAT
kanin
kanin

Anong gusto ninyong kanin?
Anong gusto ninyong kanin?

What would you like for breakfast? is:
Anong gusto ninyong almusal?

“Almusal” is “breakfast”

REPEAT
almusal
almusal

Anong gusto ninyong almusal?
Anong gusto ninyong almusal?

“What would you like for lunch?” is:
Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?

“Tanghalian” is “lunch”

REPEAT
tanghalian
tanghalian

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?

“What would you like for supper?” is:”
Anong gusto ninyong hapunan?

REPEAT
hapunan
hapunan

Anong gusto ninyong hapunan?
Anong gusto ninyong hapunan?

“What would you like for dessert?” is:
Anong gusto ninyong himagas?

REPEAT
himagas
himagas

Anong gusto ninyong himagas?
Anong gusto ninyong himagas?

Exercise 1: Say the Following in Tagalog

Say the following sentences in English.

Anong gusto ninyong kanin?

What would you like to eat?

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?

What would you like for lunch?

Anong gusto ninyong inomin?

What would you like to drink?

Anong gusto ninyong almusal?

What would you like for breakfast?

Anong gusto ninyong hapunan?

What would you like for supper?

Anong gusto ninyong pagkain?

What food would you like?

Anong gusto ninyong himagas?

What would you like for dessert?

Exercise 2: Learn Some Menu Items

Listen and repeat the names of some menu items.

sinigang
fish and shrimp soup

sinigang na hipon
shrimp soup

sinigang na baka
beef soup

sinigang na baboy
pork soup

sopas
broth with noodles

ensaladang talong kamatis
eggplant and tomato salad

ensaladang manok
chicken salad

ensaladang patatas
potato salad

ensaladang hipon at abokado
shrimp and avocado salad

ensaladang labanos at sibuyas
white radish and onion salad

ensaladang litsugas at kamatis
lettuce and tomato salad

ensaladang labong
bamboo shoot salad

ensaladang pipino
cucumber salad

Exercise 3: Ask the Waiter to Bring…

Ask the waiter to please bring you the items you see in your book.

For example, if you hear:
Anong gusto mong pagkain? (What would you like?)
and you see in your book the cue:
lettuce salad,
you say:

Pakidalhan mo kami ng ensaladang litsugas.
Please bring us (me) lettuce salad.
(note: speaker on audio says “me” which is incorrect. “kami” means “we”)

Anong gusto mong pagkain?
shrimp and avocado salad
Pakidalhan mo kami ng ensaladang hipon at abokado.

Anong gusto mong pagkain?
chicken salad
Pakidalhan mo kami ng ensaladang manok.

Anong gusto mong pagkain?
potato salad
Pakidalhan mo kami ng ensaladang patatas.

Anong gusto mong pagkain?
beef soup
Pakidalhan mo kami ng sinigang na baka.

Anong gusto mong pagkain?
lettuce and tomato salad
Pakidalhan mo kami ng ensaladang litsugas at kamatis.

Anong gusto mong pagkain?
cucumber salad
Pakidalhan mo kami ng ensaladang pipino.

Exercise 4: Learn More Menu Items

Let’s go on and practice some more menu items.

pritong lapu-lapu
deep-fried lapu-lapu fish

pritong bangus
deep-fried milkfish

ulang
lobster

alimango
crab

eskabetse
sweet-and-sour fish

hipon
shrimp

pritong manok
fried chicken

adobong manok
chicken adobo

adobong baboy
pork adobo

torta
meat omelet

litson (lechon)
roast suckling pig

dinuguan
meat and pork blood stew

isteyk
steak, American style

bistik
beef marinated in lemon and soy sauce

pansit gisado
sauteed noodles

pansit luglog
boiled noodles with meat and vegetables

pansit molo
noodles in broth

sinangag
fried rice

lumpia
Philippine-style spring roll

wanton
won ton

kanin
rice

Exercise 5: Practice “Please give me…”

Let’s practice ordering some more menu items using, “Please give me..”

For example, if you hear:
Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?

and you read in your book:
pork adobo and rice

You would say:
Pakibigyan mo ako ng adobong baboy at kanin.
Please give me pork adobo and rice.

Ready? Let’s begin.

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
rice and fried lapu-lapu
Pakibigyan mo ako ng kanin at pritong lapu-lapu.

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
fried chicken and lettuce salad
Pakibigyan mo ako ng pritong manok at ensaladang litsugas.

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
meat omelet
Pakibigyan mo ako ng torta.

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
pansit and shrimp
Pakibigyan mo ako ng pansit gisado at hipon.

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
pansit luglog
Pakibigyan mo ako ng pansit luglog.

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
sweet-and-sour fish
Pakibigyan mo ako ng eskabetse.

Anong gusto ninyong tanghalian?
rice and steak
Pakibigyan mo ako ng kanin at isteyk.

Exercise 6: Rare, Medium Rare, Well Done

If you order a steak, chances are the waiter will ask you:

Paanong luto ang gusto mo sa isteyk?
How do you want your steak cooked?

“Luto” is “cooked”.

REPEAT
luto
luto

“Paanong luto” literally is “how it be cooked”

REPEAT
paanong luto
paanong luto

Paanong luto ang gusto mo sa isteyk?.
Paanong luto ang gusto mo sa isteyk?

To answer this questions, you have to know these expressions.

“mahilaw-hilaw” is “rare”

REPEAT
mahilaw-hilaw
mahilaw-hilaw

“medyo hilaw” is “medium rare”

REPEAT
medyo hilaw
medyo hilaw

“medyo luto” is “medium well”

REPEAT
medyo luto
medyo luto

“well done” is “lutong-luto”

REPEAT
lutong-luto
lutong-luto

Let’s repeat the following phrases.

Paanong luto ang gusto mo sa isteyk?

Para sa akin, mahilaw-hilaw.
For me, rare.

Gusto ko ng medyo hilaw.
I’d like it medium rare.

Gusto ko ng medyo luto.
I’d like it medium well.

Ayoko ng lutung-luto.
I don’t like it well done.

Exercise 7: Asking About the Soup of the Day

When you want to know what the soup of the day is, you say:

Anong sabaw ngayon?
or
Anong sopas ngayon?

“Ngayon” is “now” or “today”

Soup, “sopas” is also “sabaw”

REPEAT
ngayon
ngayon

Anong sabaw ngayon?
Anong sabaw ngayon?

Anong sopas ngayon?
Anong sopas ngayon?

If you want to know what the specialty of the restaurant is, you say:
Anong ispesyal sa restawrang ito?
What’s the specialty of this restaurant?

“Sa restawrang ito” means “of this restaurant”

REPEAT
sa restawrang ito
sa restawrang ito

“Anong ispesyal“, What’s the specialty?

REPEAT
anong ispesyal?
anong ispesyal?

Anong ispesyal sa restawrang ito?
Anong ispesyal sa restawrang ito?

“Anong ispesyal ngayon?” means:
What’s the special today?

REPEAT
Anong ispesyal ngayon?
Anong ispesyal ngayon?

Let’s repeat these questions once more:

Anong sabaw ngayon?
or
Anong sopas ngayon?

Anong ispesyal sa restawrang ito?

Anong ispesyal ngayon?

Exercise 8: Practice Saying in Tagalog

Say these sentences in Tagalog.

Please bring us a lettuce.
Pakidalhan mo kami ng ensaladang litsugas at kamatis.

What’s the special today?
Anong ispesyal ngayon?

I like it well done.
Gusto ko ng lutung-luto.

Please give me some potato
Pakibigyan mo ako ng ensaladang patatas.

Bring me some pansit.
Dalhan mo ako ng pansit.

I’d like a chicken adobo.
Gusto ko ng adobong manok.

Exercise 9: Answering “How’s the food?”

Let’s assume you are eating at a restaurant and the waiter ask how your food is.

You’ll probably want to say it is very good or delicious. Listen and repeat the following sentences.

Kumusta ang lumpia?
How’s the lumpia?

Napakasarap!
Very delicious!

Kumusta ang pansit luglog?
Hows the pansit luglog?

Masarap na masarap!
Very delicious.

Kumusta ang sinigang na hipon?
How’s the shrimp sinigang?

Masarap naman.
Delicious too. (*)

Kumusta ang eskabetse?
How’s the sweet-and-sour fish?

Mabuti rin.
Good too.

Exercise 10: Practice Ordering Dessert

When Bob and Anne finished their main course, the waiter asked:
Anong gusto mong himagas?
What would you like for dessert?

Suppose you want a custard, say:
Gusto ko ng letse plan.

REPEAT
letse plan
letse plan

“Ice Cream” is “sorbetes” or “ice cream”

REPEAT
sorbetes
sorbetes

To say “Coconut Ice Cream” you would say:
makapuno ice cream

or

sorbetes na makapuno

Makapuno is a special type of coconut used for making desserts.

REPEAT
makapuno ice cream
makapuno ice cream

sorbetes na makapuno
sorbetes na makapuno

Repeat the names of some Filipino desserts:

letse plan
custard

sorbetes na makapuno
coconut ice cream

sorbetes na pinya
pineapple ice cream

sorbetes na abokado
avocado ice cream

sorbetes na banila
vanilla ice cream

sorbetes na langka
langka ice cream

sorbetes na ubi
purple yam ice cream

bibingka
baked rice cake with coconut milk

palitaw
sweet rice dumpling dipped in sesame seed and sugar

puto
steamed rice cake served with freshly ground coconut

Exercise 11: More Practice With Desserts

Let’s practice ordering different kinds of dessert.

If you hear:
Anong gusto ninyong himagas?
What dessert would you like?

And you read the cue: bibingka

Say: Gusto ko ng bibingka.
I would like bibingka.

Let’s begin.

Anong gusto ninyong himagas?
macapuno ice cream
Gusto ko ng sorbetes na makapuno

Anong gusto ninyong himagas?
pineapple
Gusto ko ng sorbetes na pinya.

Anong gusto ninyong himagas?
langka ice cream
Gusto ko ng sorbetes na langka.
Or
Gusto ko ng langka ice cream.

Exercise 12: Listening Comprehension Practice

Say the following Tagalog sentences in English.

Para sa akin, sorbetes na makapuno.
For me, macapuno ice cream.

Dalhan mo kami ng sorbetes na banila.
Bring us some vanilla ice cream.

Pakidalhan mo ako ng sorbetes na langka.
Please bring me langka ice cream.

Para sa akin, sorbetes na ubi.
For me, ubi ice cream.

Dalhan mo kami ng bibingka.
Bring us a bibingka.

Dalhan mo kami ng puto.
Bring us some puto.

Bigyan mo ako ng kutsinta.
Give me some kutsinta.

Exercise 13: Learn Names for Various Tableware

Let’s practice the names of some tableware.

platito
saucer

tasa
cup

tinidor
fork

plato
plate

serbilyeta
napkin

baso
glass

kutsara
spoon

kutsarita
teaspoon

kutsilyo
knife

Exercise 14: Asking the Waiter for Specific Tableware

Ask the waiter to “please bring me”.

For example if you see in your book the word teaspoon, you say:

Pakidalhan mo ako ng kutsarita.

Ready? Let’s begin.

plate
Pakidalhan mo ako ng plato.

cup
Pakidalhan mo ako ng tasa.

napkin
Pakidalhan mo ako ng serbilyeta.

glass
Pakidalhan mo ako ng baso.

saucer
Pakidalhan mo ako ng platito.

fork
Pakidalhan mo ako ng tinidor.

teaspoon
Pakidalhan mo ako ng kutsarita.

Exercise 15: A Cup of.., A Glass of…

A cup of tea, as you know is “isang tasang tsa“.

“Tsa” is “tea”

REPEAT
tsa
tsa

isang tasang tsa
isang tasang tsa

“A glass of” is “isang basong”

REPEAT
isang basong
isang basong

“A glass of water” is “Isang basong tubig”

REPEAT
isang basong tubig
isang basong tubig

“isang basong wine” is “a glass of wine”.

REPEAT
isang basong wine
isang basong wine

Listen and repeat the following sentences.

Dalhan mo ako ng isang tasang tsa.
Bring me a cup of tea.

Bigyan mo ako ng isang basong tubig.
Give me a glass of water.

Pakidalhan mo ako ng isang tasang kape.
Please bring me a cup of coffee.

Bigyan mo kami ng limang tasang tsokolate.
Give us five cups of chocolate.

Pakibigyan mo ako ng isang basong gatas.
Please give me a glass of milk.

Pakidalhan mo ako ng isang platitong letse plan.
Please bring me a dish (saucer) of leche flan.

Bigyan mo kami ng apat na basong tubig.
Give us four glasses of water.

Para sa akin, isang platitong sorbetes na mangga.
For me, a dish of mango ice cream.

Bigyan mo ako ng isang platong kanin.
Give me a plate of rice.

Exercise 16: Conversation for Listening Comprehension

Listen to the following conversation between John and a waiter in a restaurant.

See how much you comprehend.

Weyter: Magandang gabi, John. Kumusta?
Good evening John, how are you?

John: Mabuti, ikaw naman, Julio?
Fine, and you, Julio?

Weyter: Mabuti rin naman. Eto ang “menu.” Anong gusto mong inumin?
Fine too. Here’s the menu. What would you like to drink?

John: Dalhan mo ako ng serbesa negrang malamig.
Bring me a cold, dark beer.

Weyter: Anong gusto mong kanin?
What would you like to eat?

John: Kumusta ang pritong lapu-lapu ngayon?
How is the fried lapu-lapu today?

Weyter: Ay, masarap!
Oh, delicious!

John: O sige, dalhan mo ako ng pritong lapu-lapu, ensaladang kamatis at litsugas, at kanin.
OK. Bring me fried lapu-lapu, tomato and lettuce salad and rice.

Weyter: Isa pang bir?
Another bir?

John: Sige, isa pa. Anong masarap na himagas?
OK, one more. What’s a good dessert?

Weyter: Ah, May sorbetes na langka, makapuno, abokado, at ubi. Ah, may bibingkang kanin din at kutsintang may niyog.
There’s langka, macapuno, avocado, and purple yam ice cream. There’s also rice cake, and kutsinta with coconut.

John: Okey, dalhan mo ako ng kutsintang may niyog.
OK. Bring me kutsinta with coconut.

Weyter: Gusto mo ng tsa?
Would you like some tea?

John: Oo, gusto ko. Pakidala mo rin ang tsit, ha?
Yes, I would. Please bring the check.

Weyter: Okey!
OK.

Self-Evaluation Quiz

This is the self-evaluation quiz.

You will hear 9 situations. Respond to each situation during the pause. Then you will hear the correct response.

Let’s begin.

SITUATION 1: The waiter asks how you’d like your steak. Tell him you’d like it well done.
Gusto ko ng lutong-luto.

SITUATION 2: Tell the waiter: “Bring us two cups of coffee.”
Dalhan mo kami ng dalawang tasang kape.

SITUATION 3: You would like to know what the special of the day is. How do you ask the waiter?
Anong espesyal ngayon?

SITUATION 4: You are eating pork adobo which is delicious. The waitress comes to your table to see if everything is OK. How do you tell her that the pork adobo is delicious?
Masarap ang adobong baboy.

SITUATION 5: You have finished eating. Tell the waiter to please bring you a glass of cold water.
Pakidalhan mo ako ng isang basong tubig na malamig.

SITUATION 6: Tell the waiter to give you avocado ice cream and bibingka.
BIgyan mo ako ng sorbetes na abokado at bibingka.

SITUATION 7: Tell the waiter: “Please bring us two napkins and two forks.”
Pakidalhan mo kami ng dalwang serbilyeta at dalawang tinidor.

SITUATION 8: Tell the waiter to please give you some milk and sugar for your coffee.
Pakibigya mo ako ng gatas at asukal para sa kape.

SITUATION 9: Ask the waiter to please bring the check.
Pakidala mo ang tsit.

This concludes the self-evaluation quiz.  This also concludes lesson 8.

If you feel you are ready, advance to lesson 9. You don’t need to be perfect. If you would rate yourself at 80% or above, go ahead and move to the next lesson.

Remember, make it fun! Enjoy the ride. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Relax and enjoy the sounds of Tagalog, enjoy the small accomplishments.

Practice what you are learning even when you are away from your computer. Practice what you learned in this lesson by speaking to others or even to your dog or cat! Practice saying the things you learned in the lesson while taking a shower or while preparing dinner. Enjoy it! Make if fun and part of your routine.

It may sound crazy, but you can practice little conversations. You can speak both sides of the conversation.  For example, in this lesson you learned a lot of different names for Filipino food.  You can practice asking if they have a particular type of food, and if they have it (that’s up to you since it is a conversation you make up) then ask them to bring you some. If not, then ask the waiter to bring you something else.

I strongly suggest that you practice things from previous lessons too. Put it all together in a wide variety of ways. Again, I will say, PLAY with the language!